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A Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Jonathan Collins

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock
  • 386 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Jonathan Collins. He is a heavy equipment operator for the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron. The Fergus Falls, Minnesota native is deployed from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

Q:  What is your family's military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A:  My Grandpa's brother was a colonel in the Air Force and was one of first to fly the SR-71 Blackbird

Q:  What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A:  I maintain the roads and airfield as well as beautify the 387th Air Expeditionary Group

Q:  What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A:  I'm in a one-deep billet so I work as long and as hard as I can to get the most done during the day. 

Q:  What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A:   I don't have a lot of heavy equipment out here to do everything.  I maintain the equipment I have to the best of my ability and to keep what I do have operational.

Q:  How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: It's the same as home base but I'm the only one here and it makes it harder to do the bigger projects.

Q:  How many times have you deployed?
A:  This is my 6th deployment.

Q:  What makes this deployment unique?
A:  This deployment is unique because of my job here.  I am the only Dirt Boy at the 387th AEG and stay extremely busy making the base better for everyone.

Q:  Why did you join the Air Force?
A:   To see the world.

(The Rock Solid Warrior is a weekly spotlight focused on an outstanding member of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. These unsung heroes have been nominated by their unit leadership to be recognized for their efforts while deployed.)